City Comparison

Allentown vs Olathe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Olathe

Kansas
106
Above Average
$364,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$114,000
Median Income

The Verdict

7.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Allentown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $81,122 in Olathe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
109
Allentown
106
Olathe
Groceries
101
Allentown
96
Olathe
Utilities
102
Allentown
98
Olathe
Transportation
103
Allentown
95
Olathe
Healthcare
83
Allentown
102
Olathe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $81,122 in Olathe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olathe equals $69,340 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Olathe

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Olathe's 106, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $364,000. The $132,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,425/mo in Olathe, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 96 in Olathe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $456/month in Olathe. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 98 in Olathe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $392 in Olathe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 102 in Olathe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $114,000 in Olathe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $107,547 respectively. Olathe residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $2,660/month in Olathe. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Olathe, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,122 in Olathe, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Olathe's is 106 with median homes at $364,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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